Bootlegger

London-City and East London

Speakeasy

Outdoor

Great food

4.2 / 52 / 5

May 11, 2018

Sandwiched between a well-known chicken restaurant and a dry cleaner sits an innocuous-looking door that is, in fact, the entrance to Bootlegger - a Prohibition-style speakeasy bar that guarantees to whisk its patrons back to 1920s Chicago.

Sandwiched between a well-known chicken restaurant and a dry cleaner sits an innocuous-looking door that is, in fact, the entrance to Bootlegger – a Prohibition-style speakeasy bar that guarantees to whisk its patrons back to 1920s Chicago. There is no sign here to welcome you inside, and once you’ve descended the steps to the basement bar and started sipping on your mason jar cocktail, you may well find yourself sneaking furtive glances for a old-fashioned police raid. We jest, of course – you’re perfectly safe inside the Bootlegger, but the exposed brick walls, gleaming vintage chrome cash register, gramophone and bow-tied bartenders will definitely have you playing the part of a Prohibition rule breaker. Delicious cocktails are served in ways that make them look like innocent drinks – in a teacup, or hidden in an “emergency water” flask inside the cover of a book – and are aptly named for the theme (The Informant, The Bribe and Booze Hound are three of our favourites). Bartenders at Bootlegger provide both table and bar service and are well-accomplished to help you choose your poison – whether it be one of the aforementioned cocktails, a moonshine infusion or a sharing ‘jug’ served in a crystal decanter. There is also an array of food to choose from as well as live jazz and blues music every week!